Inflammation markers for diagnosing inflammation in the body and its cause
Every part of the body and every organ is susceptible to infection. The symptoms of inflammation in the body are varied. Inflammation occurs to varying degrees. These range from a harmless pimple to a life-threatening meningitis. Infections serve to defend against pathogens. They trigger pathogenic stimuli.
If there is an infection in the body, the doctor can easily determine this from the blood values . The inflammation markers it contains indicate inflammatory areas in the body. Another possibility is to check the number of leukocytes in urine, stool or cerebrospinal fluid. If the number of leukocytes is increased, there is inflammation.
What is infectious inflammation in the body?
Inflammation and its symptoms in the body are the result of the body’s defense processes against attacks of all kinds, such as toxins, foreign bodies, bacteria and viruses. The body reacts to pathogenic stimuli with inflammation. How strong these are depends on the number, intensity and duration. With an infection, the body defends itself with the aim of fighting off the pests.
signs of inflammation
There are five signs of inflammation:
- redness,
- Warmth,
- Pain,
- swelling and
- disturbed functions.
General signs of inflammation such as fever also occur. Fever inhibits the multiplication of pathogens. The redness is caused by chemical signals that release messenger substances, which leads to the dilation of the blood vessels and to redness.
Due to the intensified blood flow to the diseased area, it appears warmer at the same time. The pores of the capillaries widen, blood plasma and white blood cells leak out. The leukocytes together with the tissue fluid produce a swelling. They press on the finest nerve endings, which causes the pain.
Affected parts of the body are restricted in their function due to the painful swelling. Added fever. In his research report “Molecular Mechanisms in Inflammatory Reactions”, Alexander Zarbock from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine provides information about the processes involved in inflammation ( http://www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de/2572/research_report_6672031?c =14854 ).
Triggers of inflammatory processes
Infections have various causes. They irritate the tissue and thus trigger the inflammation:
- bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites,
- bruises, strains or bruises,
- chemical substances such as toxins and acids,
- physical stimuli such as heat, frost,
- foreign bodies entering the body
- Allergens such as pollen, animal dander, food,
- Metabolic breakdown products that are created in the body.
signs of inflammation in the blood
The doctor recognizes severe inflammation in the body and its symptoms by examining the blood. The resulting values are so-called inflammation signs, inflammation values or inflammation parameters. Based on these values, the doctor can look for inflammation in the body in an unspecific manner. If an infection is suspected, the doctor first examines a blood sample for signs of inflammation. He then initiates treatment steps. The doctor also checks the course of an illness by means of a blood test.
Inflammatory parameters in the blood
When there is severe inflammation in the body, certain blood levels (inflammation levels) rise. The inflammation parameters include the number of white blood cells (leukocytes), the blood sedimentation rate (BGS) and the C-reactive protein (CRP). If one or more values are elevated, the symptoms indicate an inflammation in the body. If the number of leukocytes is very high, there is an acute infection. Leukocytes fight harmful bacteria and fungi in the body and thus appear more often.
The inflammatory marker blood sedimentation rate
With the blood sedimentation speed, the doctor measures how long blood cells need to sink in a vertical tube. Inflammation causes the blood to contain more proteins. These stick together the blood cells, causing them to sink to the ground faster. Possible reasons for increasing the speed are: Inflammations such as thyroid inflammation, tumor diseases , autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, blood diseases, chronic liver diseases or rheumatic diseases.
C-reactive protein as marker
The inflammation marker C-reactive protein ensures the breakdown of pathogens. If the value is increased, there is an inflammation in the body such as an acute heart attack, kidney and pelvic inflammation, lung inflammation, bronchitis or tuberculosis. The marker reacts faster compared to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Doctors prefer it as a diagnostic factor. It is used to diagnose bacterial infections and to check values during antibiotic treatment.
The number of leukocytes increases in inflammatory processes
In addition to the inflammation values, physical reactions are also indicators of inflammation in the body. These include an increased body temperature and an increased number of leukocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, urine or stool.
An increased number of white blood cells is a typical sign of inflammation. If this is the case, the doctor speaks of leukocytosis . Leukocytes serve the immune system. They fight pathogens. If the symptoms indicate an inflammation in the body, the number of leukocytes is increased. In the event of an infection, the immune system stimulates the release of leukocytes from the bone marrow to defend itself. It is caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections.
The blood count provides information about the number of leukocytes
To determine the number of white blood cells, the doctor takes a small blood count . The doctor includes a differential blood count if the inflammation levels in the blood are significantly too high, according to Dr. Frank Schaefer. According to Dr. Schäfer the percentage of certain types of white blood cells. Both examinations together result in the complete blood count. In addition, the doctor checks other inflammation values in the blood, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein.
Summary of medical evidence on inflammation
Inflammation in the body and its symptoms are diverse. They occur on a wide variety of body parts and organs. External stimuli cause infections that harm the body. The inflammation serves to ward off the pathogens. The doctor recognizes them through physical symptoms and a blood test. If there is an infection, markers of inflammation appear. The leukocyte count is increased. The doctor follows up further examinations and draws up a therapy plan.
further:
Medical note for our readers:
